Fire extinguishing system nozzle

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispensing nozzle wherein an outlet blocking plug is dually independently restrained by heat responsive means and by a magnetic or mechanical interlock that releases only in response to predetermined fluid pressure.

United States Patent 1191 r 1111 3,831,682

Calcnro [4 Aug. 27, 1 974 [54] MM EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM NOZZLE 2,949,9318/1960 Ruppright 251/65 x 3,495,620 2/1970 Raimondi et al. 251/65 X [75]Inventor Calm), Plttsburgh, 3,682,251 8/1972 Livingston 169/37 73Assignee; Rockwell Manufacturing cumpany 3,705,691 12/1972 Zenker 169/37X Pittsburgh, Pa.

Primary ExaminerLl0yd L. King [22] Flled 1973 Assistan! EtaminerAndresKalshnikow [21] Appl. No.: 324,979 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lane,Aitken, Dunner &

Ziems [52] US. Cl 169/37, 169/40, 169/42,

251/65 [57] ABSCT [51] llnt. C1. A62c 37/08 A fl u1d dispenslng nozzlewherem an outlet blockmg [58] Fteld of Search 169/20, 21, plug is duallyindependently restrained by heat respom sive means and by a magnetic ormechanical interlock that releases only in response to predeterminedfluid [56] References Cited pressum UNITED STATES PATENTS 324,209 8/1885Ashcroft 169/40 14 Claims 5 awmg F'gures This invention relates to spraynozzles for fire extinguishing systems of the type used in buildings forautomatically discharging water or like liquid to an area where theambient temperature rises above a predetermined value, as in the case ofa fire in that area, and is particularly directed to nozzles that areeffective to discharge only when the internal or input fluid pressure isabove a predetermined value which is sometimes identified as thepressure floor.

Fire extinguishing systems of this pressure floor type wherein evenafter a fusible control or like device has been actuated to releasecondition by increased temperatures due to fire are known and have beendisclosed in the early patents to Doughty US. Pat. Nos. 1,736,255 and1,736,256 as well as in the recently is sued U.S. Pat. to Livingston No.3,655,]36.

It is the major object of the present invention to provide a novel dualcontrol arrangement wherein discharge through the nozzle takes placeonly after release of an external plug holding lever system by a fusibleor like temperature responsive device accompanied by the presence of atleast a predetermined internal fluid pressure acting on the plug withinthe nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel dual controlsystem of this type wherein a lever system mounted externally of thenozzle body and operatively engaging the bottom ofa plug that normallyblocks the nozzle outlet and is subject to internal fluid pressureincludes heat responsive means that in response to the presence of apredetermined temperature conditions the lever system to permit the plugto be expelled or moved to open the outlet by fluid pressure whichexceeds a positive holding force provided between the plug and thenozzle.

More specifically the invention contemplates as an object the provisionof novel magnetic, mechanical or like positive holding force means thatwill release the external lever system to permit the plug to be expelledonly if the inlet pressure to the nozzle exceeds a predetermined valve.

Further objects of the invention will appear in connection with theappended claims and the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation partly brokenaway and in section showing a spray nozzle according to a preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section substantially on line 22 of FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a side elevation partly broken away and in section showinganother embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation partly broken away and in section showing afurther embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a section substantially on line 55 of FIG. 4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spray nozzle 11comprises a tubular body 12 having an inlet designated at 13 threadedlyconnected to a supply pipe 14 that contains water under mains or pumppressure. The nozzle outlet designated at 15 is normally blocked by aplug member 16 having an external groove 17 containing a compressedresilient O-ring 18 that seals against outlet passage of water undernormal pressures. Plug member 16 has a slidable sealing fit in theoutlet At its bottom plug 16 has a rigid projection 19 engaging anexternal lever system 21 that in this embodiment comprises a singlelever 22 having one rounded end 23 releasably fulcrumed upon a body lug24 and its other end connected by a conventional type heat fusible link25 to a lug 26 on the nozzle body. Fusible link 25 is of the typewherein two metal elements 27 and 28 attached to the lever and nozzlebody respectively are connected together by an intermediate layer ofsolder or the like 29 that melts in response to the presence of apredetermined temperature to allow the elements to separate, as bygravity, and thus condition the lever system to permit plug 16 to beexpelled from the outlet by fluid pressure acting on the upper side ofthe plug.

A positive holding force acting in opposition to the fluid pressureacting on the plug is supplied by a magnetic arrangement whereinmagnetic elements 31 and 32 fixedly mounted respectively on a post 33rigid with the plug 16 and the hub of an internal swirl assembly 34fixed in the path of the incoming water and having swirl producing vanes34. The magnets are mutually attracted with a predetermined force. Oneor both of elements 31 and 32 is a permanent magnet.

In operation, with the parts in the position of FIG. 1, should a fireoccur in the region of the nozzle, link 25 will release in response to apredetermined high temperature and thus condition the external leversystem 21 engaging the bottom of the plug to permit plug 16 to beexpelled by fluid pressure. However, if the fluid pressure acting on theupper side of plug 16 is so low that it cannot exert sufficient force tobreak the magnetic bond at 31,32 between the plug and the swirlassembly, the plug is not expelled and it remains in blocking positionin the outlet until a predetermined fluid pressure within the nozzlebecomes effective to overcome the magnetic holding force.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment using magnetic holding means toestablish the pressure floor. Here the tubular nozzle body 41 has anoutlet 42 that slidably sealingly receives the plug member 43. Plugmember 43 is generally cup-shaped with an internal central closed endboss 44 projecting upwardly within the outlet. Boss 44 has an externalgroove 45 containing a compressed resilient O-ring seal 46.

Around its upper periphery plug mamber 43 has secured thereon externallyof the nozzle an annular magnetic element 46 and a corresponding annularmagnetic element 47 is secured on the underside of an annular bodyflange 48. At least one of elements 46 and 47 is a permanent magnet, andthe magnetic holding force between the elements is sufficient to retainthe plug member 43 in outlet blocking position unless the internal fluidpressure in the nozzle effective on the plug member exceeds apredetermined value.

The plug member is also releasably connected to the body by a fusibleconnection comprising arms 51 and 52 rigid with the nozzle body and plugmember respectively and connected by a heat fusible link 53. Arm 51 hasan upstanding threaded end 54 extending slidably through an opening 55in body flange 48 and carries a nut 56 which may be operated to adjustthe mechanical 5 holding action of the fusible connection. While onlyone fusible connection is shown, two or more may be provided distributedaround the periphery of the plug member.

In operation, the plug member normally blocks outlet 42, the holdingforces of the fusible connection and the magnetic coupling resisting theforce exerted by water pressure on the plug member. Should a fire occurthe fusible connection or connections release at a predeterminedtemperature, and the assembly is conditioned to permit water pressure toexpel the plug memger from the outlet, which takes place when the waterpressure exceeds a predetermined pressure floor as in the earlierembodiment.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment wherein the plug member 61 is slidablysealably disposed in blocking re lation in the outlet 62 of a tubularnozzle body 63. Like plug member 16, plug 61 has an external groove 64containing a compressed resilient O-ring seal 65.

A projection 66 on the bottom of plug 61 engages lever 67 of an externallever system 68 that includes a further lever 69 and a heat fusibleconnection 71. Lever 67 has one hooked end 72 rockably disposed in anannular nozzle body groove 73, and its other end is fulcrumed at 74 uponlever 69. The end of lever 69 adjacent the fulcrum is hooked at 75 to berockably disposed in groove 73, and the other end of lever 69 isconnected by fusible connection 71 to an external body lug 76. Fusibleconnection 71 comprises metal elements 77 and 78 connected respectivelyto the nozzle body and the lever system, and interconnected by a holderlayer 79 adapted to melt and release at a predetermined temperature.

In this embodiment the pressure floor holding action is accomplished bya mechanical interlock between a fixed post 81 upstanding from the plugmember 61 and an integral socket indicated at 82 provided in the plastichub 83 of the swirl assembly 34. Socket 82 has a downwardly open recess87 formed with a restricted mouth 88 adapted to be forcibly expanded bythe conical tip 89 of post 81 which recloses about the reduced section91 of the post. Normally the downwardly facing post shoulder 92 engagesthe upwardly facing socket shoulder 93 to resist downward displacementntof plug member 61 under fluid pressure.

in operation plug member 61 normally blocks the nozzle outlet, and thefluid pressure force tending to expel it is resisted by the externallever system and the mechanical interlock at the socket. Should a fireoccur, the fusible link will separate to release and thus condition theexternal lever system to permit the plug memher to be expelled by fluidpressure. lfthe fluid pressure within the nozzle is sufficiently highthe plug post will be pulled forcibly through the socket mouth 88 andthe plug expelled.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by letters Patent is:

l. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passagetherethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source offluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normallyblocking said outlet and having one side exposed to fluid pressure insaid response to the presence of a predetermined temperature to releasesaid other end of said lever and permit said plug means to be expelledfrom said outlet by said fluid pressure, and means for holding thereleased plug means in said blocking condition unless said fluidpressure is above a predetermined amount.

2. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 1 wherein said holdingmeans is distinct from said lever.

3. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 2 wherein said holdingmeans is a magnetic coupling between said plug means and said body.

4. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 3 wherein said magneticcoupling comprises magnetic members fixed respectively to said body andto said plug means.

5. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 1 wherein said thermalresponsive means comprises a heat fusible link assembly.

6. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passagetherethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source offluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normallyblocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluidpressure, a stem connected to said plug means and having an enlarged endportion, a socket fixed to said body in said passage and adapted toreceive said enlarged end portion, said socket having a restricted mouthportion which normally prevents release of said enlarged end portiontherefrom and which is adapted to be forcibly expanded by said enlargedend portion in response to fluid pressure of a predetermined valueacting on said plug means, to permit release of said enlarged endportion from said socket and said plug means from said outlet.

7. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 6 further comprising aplug retainer means for normally retaining said plug means in saidpassage blocking condition and having means releasable in response tothe presence of a predetermined temperature to permit said plug means tobe expelled from said outlet, said plug means being expelled from saidoutlet by the force of said fluid pressure upon the existence of both ofsaid predetermined temperature and said predetermined value of fluidpressure.

8. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passagetherethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source offluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normallyblocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluidpressure, a first magnetic coupling member fixed on a support withinsaid passage, and a second magnetic coupling member fixed on anupstanding part of said plug means and extending in said passage, saidmagnetic coupling members adapted to couple together and hold said plugmeans in said blocking position when said fluid pressure is below apredetermined value.

9. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passagetherethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source offluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normallyblocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluidpressure, and magnetic coupling members fixed respectively to said bodyand said plug means and disposed externally of said passage for directlyconnecting said plug means to said body and holding said plug means insaid blocking position when said fluid pressure is below a predeterminedvalue.

10. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 9 wherein said plugmeans is a cup-shaped member having a raised internal bottom portionsealably fitted to said outlet, and wherein said magnetic couplingmembers are annular and are fixed respectively on the rim of said memberand an external flange on said body.

11. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passagetherethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source offluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normallyblocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inlet fluidpressure, magnetic means directly connecting said plug means to saidbody for retaining said plug means in said blocking position when thefluid pressure is below a predetermined value, and additional means fornormally retaining said plug means in said passage block ing position,said additional means being releasable in response to the presence of apredetermined temperature, whereby said plug means is expelled from saidoutlet by the force of said fluid pressure upon the exis tence of bothsaid predetermined temperature and said predetermined value of fluidpressure.

12. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body member having a passagetherethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source offluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means having a firstportion engaging the inner wall of said body member for normallyblocking said outlet, and magnetic means engaging a second portion ofsaid plug means for normally holding said first portion of said plugmeans in said blocking position against the force of a fluid pressureacting on said plug means less than a predetermined value, said magneticmeans adapted to release said engagement in response to said fluidpressure attaining or exceeding said predetermined value, said plugmeans adapted to be expelled from said body member by the force of saidfluid pressure upon release by said magnetic means.

13. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 12 wherein saidmagnetic means is disposed within said passage.

14. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 12 wherein saidmagnetic means is disposed externally of said passage.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECT Dated August 27, 1974Patent No. 3 831, 682

Inventor) Louis A. Calcaro It is certified: that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shownbelow:

Title Page, "Assignee: Rockwell Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa,"should read -Assignee: Factory Mutual Research Corporation, Norwood,Mass.--

Signed'and sealed this 19th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN ZAttesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 n u.s. GOVERNMENT rmunm; ornc: n09 0-3n-s34.

F ORM PO-1 050 (IO-69)

1. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a passagetherethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to a source offluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug means normallyblocking said outlet and having one side exposed to fluid pressure insaid passage, a lever mounted externally of said body and extendingacross said outlet opening in engagement with the bottom of said plugmeans, one end portion of said lever being quick releasably supported bysaid body, thermal responsive means for normally connecting the otherend portion of said lever to said body to maintain said plug means insaid passage blocking condition, said thermal responsive means beingoperable in response to the presence of a predetermined temperature torelease said other end of said lever and permit said plug means to beexpelled from said outlet by said fluid pressure, and means for holdingthe released plug means in said blocking condition unless said fluidpressure is above a predetermined amount.
 2. The fluid dispensing nozzledefined in claim 1 wherein said holding means is distinct from saidlever.
 3. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 2 wherein saidholding means is a magnetic coupling between said plug means and saidbody.
 4. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 3 wherein saidmagnetic coupling comprises magnetic members fixed respectively to saidbody and to said plug means.
 5. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined inclaim 1 wherein said thermal responsive means comprises a heat fusiblelink assembly.
 6. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a body having apassage therethrough between an inlet adapted to be connected to asource of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet, plug meansnormally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed to said inletfluid pressure, a stem connected to said plug means and having anenlarged end portion, a socket fixed to said body in said passage andadapted to receive said enlarged end portion, said socket having arestricted mouth portion which normally prevents release of saidenlarged end portion therefrom and which is adapted to be forciblyexpanded by said enlarged end portion in response to fluid pressure of apredetermined value acting on said plug means, to permit release of saidenlarged end portion from said socket and said plug means from saidoutlet.
 7. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 6 furthercomprising a plug retainer means for normally retaining said plug meansin said passage blocking condition and having means releasable inresponse to the presence of a predetermined temperature to permit saidplug means to be expelled from said outlet, said plug means beingexpelled from said outlet by the force of said fluid pressure upon theexistence of both of said predetermined temperature and saidpredetermined value of fluid pressure.
 8. A fluid dispensing nozzlecomprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adaptedto be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a dischargeoutlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one sideexposed to said inlet fluid pressure, a first magnetic coupling memberfixed on a support within said passage, and a second magnetic couplingmember fixed on an upstanding part of said plug means and extending insaid passage, said magnetic coupling members adapted to couple togetherand hold said plug means in said blocking position when said fluidpressure is below a predetermined value.
 9. A fluid dispensing nozzlecomprising a body having a passage therethrough between an inlet adaptedto be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and a dischargeoutlet, plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one sideexposed to said inlet fluid pressure, and magnetic coupling membersfixed respectively to said body and said plug means and disposedexternally of said passage for directly connecting said plug means tosaid body and holding said plug means in said blocking position whensaid fluid pressure is below a predetermined value.
 10. The fluiddispensing nozzle defined in claim 9 wherein said plug means is acup-shaped member having a raised internal bottom portion sealablyfitted to said outlet, and wherein said magnetic coupling members areannular and are fixed respectively on the rim of said member and anexternal flange on said body.
 11. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising abody having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet,plug means normally blocking said outlet and having one side exposed tosaid inlet fluid pressure, magnetic means directly connecting said plugmeans to said body for retaining said plug means in said blockingposition when the fluid pressure is below a predetermined value, andadditional means for normally retaining said plug means in said passageblocking position, said additional means being releasable in response tothe presence of a predetermined temperature, whereby said plug means isexpelled from said outlet by the force of said fluid pressure upon theexistence of both said predetermined temperature and said predeterminedvalue of fluid pressure.
 12. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a bodymember having a passage therethrough between an inlet adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge outlet,plug means having a firSt portion engaging the inner wall of said bodymember for normally blocking said outlet, and magnetic means engaging asecond portion of said plug means for normally holding said firstportion of said plug means in said blocking position against the forceof a fluid pressure acting on said plug means less than a predeterminedvalue, said magnetic means adapted to release said engagement inresponse to said fluid pressure attaining or exceeding saidpredetermined value, said plug means adapted to be expelled from saidbody member by the force of said fluid pressure upon release by saidmagnetic means.
 13. The fluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 12wherein said magnetic means is disposed within said passage.
 14. Thefluid dispensing nozzle defined in claim 12 wherein said magnetic meansis disposed externally of said passage.